Friday 18 December 2015

Book Review: Dead Jed: Return of the Jed by Scott Craven @scott_craven2 @month9books



Today I'm reviewing DEAD JED: RETURN OF THE JED by Scott Craven, the third installment of the Dead Jed middle grade book series. First, a little info on the book itself.

With seventh grade behind him, Jed jumps at the opportunity to spend the summer in Mexico with his dad. But there’s just one catch: Luke and Tread get to tag along.

​In Mexico, fitting in​might be easier than Jed imagined, ​with Holidays such as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)​.​ Here, a ​rising 8th grade zombie ​boy ​and his zombie dog ​won’t draw that much attention.

​But then Tread unwittingly sets off Mexico’s Chupacabra Defense Network and Jed accidentally collides with a bus​. So much for blending in. T​​he unusual pair catch the eye of a professional wrestler, who challenges ​Jed to a fight!​ ​

Their antics manage to ​capture the attention of a doctor​ who​se knowledge of the undead ​caus​es Jed to question his very existence. ​Is this the answer Jed’s been hoping for since his parents sat him down for the “you’re a zombie” talk? Jed may have finally found a way to be normal, but at what cost?


My Review

This is a series that is very close to my heart. Craven's laugh-out-loud humor feels like home, my heartstrings playing songs of middle school guffaws and witty punch lines. But it's not just the humor that kept me reading; it was the main character. Jed is truly genuine and good-hearted, the kind of kid you hope your kids make friends with, and I couldn't help but feel sympathy for his plight in life. It isn't easy being the odd-zombie-out. But that's where this book gets super interesting.

After finding himself in extraordinary circumstances on a trip to Mexico—circumstances that had me simultaneously cringing and chuckling with every body detachment he underwent—Jed ultimately finds himself at a crossroads. When a doctor offers him a chance to be like everybody else, Jed has to decide if that's really what he wants. After all, you know what they say: be careful what you wish for. I couldn't get through the last few chapters fast enough; I NEEDED to find out what he would decide, and if the doctor in question would truly deliver what he promised. Nails were bit and breaths were held, and at the end of it all, I came away very satisfied with the end of the book.

If you know a middle-grader who loves to laugh or sometimes feels out of place and needs some reassurance to be true to him/herself, this series is a must.

About the Author

Scott Craven is a proud graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He has one son and is a features writer for The Arizona Republic.


Connect with the Author:  Website | Twitter




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M9B Friday Reveal: Redesigned Series Cover Reveal – Dragonrider Chronicles by Nicole Conway with Giveaway #M9BFridayReveals

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Welcome to this week’s M9B Friday Reveal!
This week, we are reveal the cover for
Traitor (Dragonrider Chronicles #3) by Nicole Conway
an upcoming Month9Books title!

Not only are we revealing this gorgeous new cover, we are also reveal the redesigned cover for the series!
You guys are in for a treat!
Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!
 
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Can anyone survive being lost in Luntharda?
No amount of training has prepared Jaevid Broadfeather for the frontlines of battle. Now facing the true horrors of war, with Luntharda looming on the horizon, Jaevid has begun to question everything he thought about his heritage. The only thing keeping him going is his oath to protect his dragonrider brothers. But in an instant, even that slips through Jaevid’s fingers as he steps from the safety of his dragon’s saddle into the depths of his mother’s wild homeland—the kingdom of the gray elves.
Stranded in Luntharda with his partner, Lieutenant Jace Rordin, Jaevid must finally confront the demons of his own past as he uncovers the truth about a war that began before he was ever born. Armed with a new appreciation for destiny, and flanked by his trusted friends, Jaevid moves to make the final strike against an enemy that has hidden in plain sight for far too long.
One kingdom’s traitor will become the world’s last hope.
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Available for Pre-Order: Chapters | Amazon | B&N | TBD
 
AND NOW HERE ARE THE REDESIGNED COVERS FOR BOOKS 1 AND 2!
 
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When Jaevid Broadfeather is given the rare opportunity to become a dragonrider for the king’s army, the 15-year-old boy has no idea that he is part of a conspiracy that will rock the very foundations of the kingdom.
Jaevid Broadfeather has grown up as a wartime refugee, hiding from the world because of his mixed racial heritage. He feels his future is hopeless, until a chance encounter with a wild dragon lands him in Blybrig Academy—a place usually forbidden to anyone but the rich and royal. But Jaevid’s case is special; no dragon has voluntarily chosen a rider in decades, so the proud riders of Blybrig must begrudgingly let him join their brotherhood despite his bloodline. Lieutenant Sile Derrick, a sternly tempered man with a mysterious past, becomes his instructor and immediately takes a peculiar interest in Jaevid’s future.
While struggling through the rigorous physical demands of training, things begin to go awry. Jaevid witnesses the king’s private guards kidnapping Sile in the dead of night. When none of the elder riders are willing to help him, Jaevid begins a dangerous adventure to save his instructor.
Everything Jaevid learned at the academy will now be put to the ultimate test.
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Avian NEW 1800x2700
Jaevid wants to pass his Avian year of training . . . but will he even survive it?
What kind of power is lurking inside him? After a year of training to become a dragonrider, Jaevid Broadfeather has been sent home to rest during a three-month interlude. But when he returns to find the king drake has chosen Beckah Derrick as his new rider, Jaevid realizes something big is about to happen. Every fiber of his being is pushed to the breaking point as Jaevid battles through his avian year, preparing for the final graduation test of the battle scenario. But there is more standing in his way than a few pushups and fancy sword moves. Jaevid must face a new fear as he is tormented by a gruesome nightmare of a mysterious gray elf warrior murdering the royal family of Maldobar. It seems obvious to him that this is some kind of message about how the war started long ago—until Felix assures him the king is very much alive. With his strange powers growing stronger by the day, and that violent dream replaying in his mind every night, Jaevid no longer wonders if he will pass his avian year or not—he wonders if he will even survive it.
The truth will soon be set loose.
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Nicole is the author of the children’s fantasy series, THE DRAGONRIDER CHRONICLES, about a young boy’s journey into manhood as he trains to become a dragonrider. She has completed the first two books in the series, and is now working on the third and final book.
Originally from a small town in North Alabama, Nicole moves frequently due to her husband’s career as a pilot for the United States Air Force. She received a B.A. in English with a concentration in Classics from Auburn University, and will soon attend graduate school.
She has previously worked as a freelance and graphic artist for promotional companies, but has now embraced writing as a full-time occupation.
Nicole enjoys hiking, camping, shopping, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves watching children’s movies and collecting books. She lives at home with her husband, two cats, and dog.
Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram
 
Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win. Title will be sent upon its release.
 
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Wednesday 16 December 2015

Book Blitz: House of Pawns by Keary Taylor





Today we're taking part in the HOUSE OF PAWNS book blitz. Take a look at this new adult paranormal and read an excerpt from the book.

House of Pawns
Keary Taylor
(House of Royals, #2)
Publication date: December 15th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal
The town of Silent Bend is about to explode into a war. Alivia swore to take the House from Jasmine after what she did, but it won’t happen without retaliation. The whole town is caught in the crosshairs of their manipulation and the body count is climbing.
The explanation for Ian’s change is one he just can’t accept. To Alivia, it should fix all their problems, but Ian has become everything he hates most. And Liv accepting her fate and position will test their relationship to the breaking point.
The threat of the King’s arrival looms just weeks away, and Alivia knows he will kill her as soon as he comes. She’ll need supporters at her side—immortal ones. And that means turning old enemies into loyal subjects…

Sequel to:

House of Royals

EXCERPT:
Dirt stains my hands, freezes my fingers. There are streaks of it all over my jeans, caking the sleeves of my coat.

“What the hell are you doing?”
My heart leaps into my throat and I whip around.
Sheriff Luke McCoy stands five yards behind me, hands on his hips, a look of confusion and horror on his face.
I don’t have an answer for him, so I go back to my task.
“Alivia.” I hear him walking toward me. “What are you doing, and why does it look like someone crawled out of that grave?”
“Because someone did,” I huff. My hands are numb now, making it difficult to maneuver the dirt. Thankfully, it’s still freshly turned enough that it’s not packed yet.
“And who might that have been?” he asks and his voice hardens with each syllable.
“Circumstances change people, you understand that, right?” I’ve got the hole half filled back in.
“What are you talking about?” Sheriff McCoy, now that he’s caught on to what this hole means and its implications, joins me in filling it.
“I told you a few months back that I was a good person. That I wanted nothing to do with the House.” My lungs burn from the effort of breathing hard in this cold air. “But circumstances change people.”
“What happened, Alivia?” he demands.


Author Bio:
Keary Taylor grew up along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where she started creating imaginary worlds and daring characters who always fell in love. She now resides on a tiny island in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their two young children. She continues to have an overactive imagination that frequently keeps her up at night. She is the author of THE EDEN TRILOGY, the FALL OF ANGELS trilogy, and WHAT I DIDN'T SAY. To learn more about Keary and her writing process, please visit www.KearyTaylor.com.

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Tuesday 15 December 2015

Book Blitz: Dark Siren Series by Eden Ashley


Dark Siren
Eden Ashley
(Dark Siren, #1)
Publication date: July 4th 2013
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
To survive, their bond must be unbreakable.
When the mysterious and passionate Rhane rescues Kali from an attacker in the theater parking lot, they form an immediate, smoldering connection. But Kali doesn’t remember Rhane or anything from their past. As far as Kali knows, she’s just a seventeen-year-old kid coping with an insatiable hunger for the “spark” or energy of others, feeding on classmates to survive.
A unique artifact—one that may hold the key to returning Kali’s memories—is uncovered by the archaeology firm where she works part-time, sending Kali and Rhane on a dangerous journey that leads them to the Forbidden City, into the unforgiving Gobi, and into the ruins of Rhane’s ancient homeland. As they fight for survival, Kali begins to discover who she really is and the true power she possesses.
But Rhane still harbors a secret that could destroy Kali…unless old enemies kill her first.
The complete series:
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EXCERPT – Dark Siren:
The stranger shifted, leaning over until his mouth was within a millimeter of her left ear. He spoke softly, his lips brushing against some serious nerve endings, “Is this seat taken?”
With a nervous shiver, she blinked long and slow, savoring the low and sexy quality of his voice. Then she edged away to put at least an inch between his lips and her ear. If he touched her like that again, Kali was very likely to embarrass herself. Just as she was about to answer his question, the room brightened with light from the illuminated screen. What Kali saw made her jaw drop.
If an eighty-year-old grandmother had been sitting next to her when this guy had shown up, Kali would have politely asked the old lady to move so the stranger could sit down. He was absurdly good looking. Silver lighting accented every perfect line and angle of his face. Several locks from his thick mass of hair fell idly across his forehead, slightly curling at the ends. There was softness to his features that suggested he could be a keeper.
The stranger returned Kali’s stare with an intensity that took in every part of her. But his eyes never left her face.
Realizing she had been staring at him stupidly for far too long, Kali struggled to find something to say. “I’m…” She cleared her throat. “It’s yours.”
He finally looked away. Whatever tied her to him was loosed, and Kali pulled her gaze away. They didn’t speak again for a long time, but Kali was constantly aware of him. She kept stealing furtive glances in his direction because the sight of him was more enthralling than anything the movie had to offer. Growing bolder, Kali watched him from the corner of her eye at increasingly longer intervals. Apparently, the stranger was not as bothered as she was. Relaxed in his seat, he sat observing the screen with languid interest, doing a pretty good job convincing her that he’d forgotten anyone was beside him. Kali was so immersed with watching him, and was completely startled when he spoke.
“It’s not polite to stare,” he murmured softly without taking his eyes from the screen.
Kali jerked and turned away. But she wasn’t fast enough and was mortified to see the beginning of a satisfied smile appear on his face. She slid down into the chair, grateful for the darkness that concealed a blush spreading across her cheeks. From then on she tried to concentrate on the movie. But it was useless. She gave up and watched the screen absently, all the while thinking about the guy sitting next to her and how he probably thought she was an absolute dork. She didn’t get it. Boys never had this affect on her. For the past two years, it had always been them falling helplessly at her feet.
A mutated mix of human and creature launched itself from a quiet scene, growling and snarling into the camera. Several audience members jumped in surprise, and Kali was one of them. She made a noise that sounded like a strangled bird.
“Do these things frighten you?” the stranger asked. He was clearly enjoying her discomfort.
Kali cleared her throat. “Why would they? This stuff isn’t real.” This time, she didn’t look at him.
After a long moment, he spoke again. “Right,” he slowly agreed.




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About the Author
Cynic, realist, and hopeless romantic all rolled into one, Eden was born and raised in a small, sunny town in South Carolina where thunderstorms helped inspire her best ideas. There are few things she loves more than curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee on a rainy day (except maybe chocolate cake, she loves cake), often reading into the wee hours of morning when something really grabs her. Eden enjoys reading or watching anything with supernatural elements, so writing paranormal and fantasy romance is a natural fit.
Her first novel, Dark Siren, is best described as paranormal romance artfully wrapped within a plot chock-full of action, adventure, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, while the series has evolved to become a journey of redemption and second chances as two characters understand that sometimes committing evil is necessary to protect what is loved most. Eden took the siren from Greek mythology (and borrowed a little from mermaid lore), creating an entirely different creature, with its own mythology, and one that Publisher's Weekly praised for its passion and complexity. This is not just another werewolf/shapeshifter romance or vampire romance. This is a story that both adults and teens can enjoy, full of great characters to fall in love with!

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Monday 14 December 2015

Friday 11 December 2015

M9B Friday Reveal: Cover Reveal – Emerge by Tobie Easton with Giveaway #M9BFridayReveals

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Welcome to this week’s M9B Friday Reveal!
This week, we are revealing the cover for
Emerge by Tobie Easton
an upcoming Month9Books Title!
Author, Tobie Easton, also shares her thoughts on the cover.
Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

It’s finally here, and you finally get to see it!!  Sharing the cover of my debut novel, Emerge, with you means so much to me.  When I saw it for the first time, my jaw dropped—it’s just that beautiful.  I love how the main character, Lia, blends so seamlessly into the ocean, like she’s one with the water, which is so thematically perfect for the book.  While everything seems calm and beautiful on the surface, there’s something deeper, more alluring, and perhaps more sinister hidden just below.
The call of the ocean is an important part of the novel, so it’s mesmerizing the way Lia is being drawn toward the sea—and taking the reader with her. 
Want to know my favorite detail?  It’s the way the bottom of Lia’s gown billows like ocean waves (I’m a sucker for a gorgeous gown!).  And the sparkles behind the title hint at the magic within. I could gush all day, but I really want to know what you think!  Come tell me on TwitterGoodreadsIG, or Facebook!  I’m SO excited for you to read the first book of the Mer Chronicles this April!

xo Tobie
 

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Lia Nautilus may be a Mermaid but she’s never lived in the ocean. War has ravaged the seven seas ever since the infamous Little Mermaid unleashed a curse that stripped Mer of their immortality. Lia has grown up in a secret community of land-dwelling Mer hidden among Malibu’s seaside mansions. Her biggest problems are surviving P.E. and keeping her feelings for Clay Ericson in check. Sure, he’s gorgeous in that cocky, leather jacket sort of way and makes her feel like there’s a school of fish swimming in her stomach, but getting involved with a human could put Lia's entire community at risk.
So it’s for the best that he’s dating that new girl, right? That is, until Lia finds out she isn't the only one at school keeping a potentially deadly secret. And this new girl? Her eyes are dead set on Clay, who doesn't realize the danger he's in. If Lia hopes to save him, she’ll have to get closer to Clay. Lia’s parents would totally flip if they found out she was falling for a human boy, but the more time she spends with him, the harder it is for her to deny her feelings. After making a horrible mistake, Lia will risk everything to stop Clay from falling in love with the wrong girl.
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Emerge by Tobie Easton Publication Date: April 19, 2016 Publisher: Month9Books
Available for Pre-order: Amazon | B&N | Chapters | TBD
 
About-the-Author
 
Tobie EastonTobie Easton was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where she’s grown from a little girl who dreamed about magic to a twenty-something who writes about it. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Southern California, Tobie hosts book clubs for tweens and teens. She and her very kissable boyfriend enjoy traveling the globe and fostering packs of rescue puppies. Tobie loves chocolate chip cookies and Oxford commas.
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
 
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Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win.
Title will be sent upon its release.
 
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